'Today is an important day. We've planted all the seeds, and now we hope with all our might that it will work,' Vivienne thought.
At the moment, everyone is gathered in His Majesty's workroom. Only five people are present; we want to keep the event details as secret as possible. The two secretaries are standing, busily preparing snacks and drinks, while the other three are seated around the small round table.
The test had already begun, and the Emperor was scrutinizing every action taken by Ava. Silence filled the room, interrupted only by the three individuals enjoying snacks and drinks. Everyone refrained from speaking, waiting for the Emperor to break the silence.
"Lady Silverwood, could you please enlighten me about the shortcomings our country is presently facing?" the Emperor inquired.
'The first question is here! You've got this, Ava. Just as we've rehearsed,' Vivienne silently encouraged Ava.
"Presently, our medical care suffers from a shortage of qualified staff. Therefore, I believe it is crucial to address the shortcomings within our education system..." Ava began explaining.
As Ava spoke, the two secretaries remained rigid, visibly nervous. In contrast, the crown prince appeared delighted to hear Ava's insights on the kingdom's matters.
"I see; you've made an excellent point. I will consider this idea and discuss it with my assistant," the Emperor responded, visibly impressed. "You're aware of the four families that played a crucial role in forming our empire, correct? In your opinion, which family do you think is best suited to take charge of the education system?"
Ava contemplated the question, taking a small sip of tea and inadvertently raising her pinky, which immediately caught the attention of the two secretaries.
Vivienne's eyes widened as she recognized the signal, indicating Ava's uncertainty in formulating a response. She swiftly shifted her gaze to Milo, who was already engrossed in writing down a few words of guidance. Recognizing the urgency, Vivienne skillfully took charge, deftly pouring more tea into the cups of all three guests, expertly diverting their attention away from Ava's momentary hesitation.
"Would you care for a refill of tea, Your Majesty?" Vivienne politely inquired.
"Yes, please. I would appreciate some more," the Emperor replied, oblivious to any unusual occurrences.
After finishing writing, Milo raised the first paper, displaying the words "Ravenswood Family." He then revealed the second paper: "They specialize in administration." Finally, he presented the third paper, which mentioned their reputation for strict discipline. Observing the information on the papers, Ava swiftly comprehended and regained her confidence to respond.
"With utmost confidence, I believe that the Ravenswood Family is exceptionally suited to oversee the education system. Their renowned reputation for strict discipline ensures that attending students develop into law-abiding citizens. Additionally, given their involvement in administration, the Ravenswood Family possesses extensive knowledge about the current state of the empire. This knowledge equips them to design an appropriate curriculum that effectively educates the people," Ava expressed confidently.
The Emperor nodded, showing he agreed. They continued to exchange ideas, with Milo and Vivienne occasionally assisting Ava. The crown prince stayed quiet the entire time, making it easier for Milo and Vivienne to manage the discussion.
As the snacks dwindled, the Emperor decided to change the activity.
"Lady Silverwood, would you do me the honor of dancing with me?" the Emperor proposed.
"It would be my utmost pleasure," Ava accepted graciously.
In the background, the crown prince appeared slightly displeased but remained silent. Vivienne and Milo began playing the violin, creating a pleasant ambiance for the Emperor and Ava's dance.
As the final notes of the melody faded, the Emperor expressed great delight at Ava's remarkable dancing skills. It was evident to everyone present that the Emperor was highly pleased with Ava, yet they eagerly awaited his official declaration.
"Lady Silverwood, you have demonstrated beyond doubt that you possess the capabilities to become the crown princess. You have my full support," the Emperor exclaimed cheerfully.
"I am grateful for this tremendous honor bestowed upon me," Ava replied graciously.
A collective sigh of relief filled the room as tension dissipated. The crown prince promptly rose from his seat, lifting Ava and spinning her around with sheer joy. Meanwhile, the two secretaries exchanged congratulatory cheers, acknowledging their successful role in the proceedings.
'One obstacle has been overcome. Now, the next steps involve preparing for the debutante ceremony, the engagement ceremony, the wedding ceremony, and ultimately the crowning ceremony. It's quite a series of ceremonies,' Vivienne pondered, her thoughts swirling as she considered the upcoming events. 'I can't even consider merging two ceremonies together, as I'm certain the crown prince would throw a fit if we suggested it.'
"You two, take the rest of the day off. You've done an excellent job," the crown prince unexpectedly declared, directing his words toward the two secretaries.
The secretaries exchanged bewildered glances, caught off guard by the unexpected gesture from the crown prince. However, without wasting a moment, they seized the opportunity and swiftly made their exit before the crown prince could change his mind.
After parting ways and retreating to their rooms, Vivienne felt uncertain as it was only midday. However determined and courageous, she seized the opportunity and invited Milo to a lunch date.
'Will Sir Milo be willing to join me for lunch, just the two of us? Should I consider this a date? Is he prepared for this? No, I shouldn't overthink it. Let's frame it as a celebratory lunch outing. Yes, that feels more appropriate for now,' Vivienne contemplated quietly, positioning herself in front of Milo's door. 'Just a simple knock,' she reminded herself and deeply breathed.
Just as Vivienne was about to knock on the door, it swung open on its own, revealing Milo dressed in remarkably casual attire.
'Wow, I've never seen Sir Milo dressed so casually before. I'm used to seeing him in his formal secretary uniform,' Vivienne thought, her eyes taking in Milo's outfit.
Surprised to see Vivienne standing at his door, Milo asked, "Lady Vivienne, is there something I can assist you with?"
With a hopeful smile, Vivienne mustered up the courage and asked, "I was wondering if you would like to join me for lunch to celebrate our first accomplishment."
Milo's face lit up as he responded, "That sounds wonderful. Let's go since I already need to step out anyway."
Vivienne's joy overflowed, and she silently cheered for herself, triumphantly inviting Milo out for lunch.
The lunch outing unfolded precisely as Vivienne had imagined. They strolled side by side, relishing the delightful weather, and found themselves in a charming restaurant that exuded an ideal ambiance—neither too crowded nor too empty. Engrossed in their conversation, Vivienne remained blissfully unaware of the unexpected encounter about to unfold. Only when Milo discreetly gestured towards a peculiar couple across the room was Vivienne's curiosity piqued.
"Is that His Highness and Lady Silverwood?" Milo asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Vivienne glanced discreetly at the couple, both of whom had donned plain clothing and hats in an attempt to blend in. However, their distinctive hair colors couldn't be concealed so easily.
"How likely is it to encounter a girl with pink hair and a guy with golden hair?" Vivienne mused, desperately trying to convince herself they could be entirely someone else.
"Only the royal family possesses hair of such shades of gold, and I have yet to come across anyone with pink hair like Lady Silverwood," Milo replied, his tone filled with awe and realization.
Hoping to divert attention away from themselves, Vivienne inquired further, "And what about individuals with black or brown hair?"
"Black and brown hair are quite common," Milo replied, his gaze fixed on Vivienne. "But your distinct red eyes, like no other, are truly unique."
Vivienne and Milo discreetly observed the Crown Prince and Ava, who were engrossed in their affectionate bubble. The air around the couple buzzed with whispered sweet nothings and adoring glances. Determined to maintain a low profile, Vivienne and Milo tried to blend into the background, silently praying that their presence would go unnoticed.
"I suppose this is why we were granted some time off," Vivienne whispered, attempting to shield her face by discreetly averting her gaze from the couple.
"It appears that no matter where we go, His Highness manages to find us," Milo sighed, a touch of resignation in his voice.
Vivienne pondered their options and turned to Milo, asking, "What do you think we should do? Should we stay and pretend not to notice them, or should we make a swift exit?"
Before Milo could respond, Ava's eyes landed on them, and her face lit up with delight.
"Oh! Secretary Crestwell and Secretary Ravenswood! How delightful to run into you here," Ava exclaimed happily, promptly seating herself next to Vivienne.
Vivienne couldn't help but flinch at the unexpected proximity while the Crown Prince sat beside Milo. Despite seeing them just a few hours ago, the two secretaries found themselves unexpectedly stuck with the two protagonists.
Vivienne exchanged a bewildered glance with Milo, both sharing the same sense of confusion regarding the unexpected circumstances they found themselves in. When Vivienne's gaze shifted towards the Crown Prince, she couldn't help but notice a touch of displeasure on his face as he sat beside them. Meanwhile, Ava, seemingly oblivious to the subtle tension in the air, maintained her cheerful demeanor and engaged in lively conversation with everyone at the table.
'This feels like having dinner with your boss,' Vivienne thought, feeling awkward as she shifted uncomfortably.
The awkward atmosphere lingered, casting a shadow over the lunch outing. Vivienne and Milo remained composed, their expressions carefully neutral as they navigated the conversation. It was as if they were walking on a tightrope, trying to maintain a delicate balance between acknowledging the situation and preserving a sense of normalcy.
Despite the underlying discomfort, Ava's contagious enthusiasm managed to diffuse some of the tension, and the lunch carried on with intermittent bursts of laughter and friendly exchanges. Vivienne and Milo silently hoped that the awkwardness would eventually fade away, allowing them to enjoy the remainder of the meal without the weight of the unexpected company.
As the minutes dragged on, Vivienne couldn't help but feel like they had been stuck in this situation for an eternity, despite it only being half an hour. She desperately wanted to escape and subtly tried to signal to Milo that they should leave.
Milo, catching on to Vivienne's hint, smoothly interrupted the conversation.
"Sorry to interrupt, Your Highness and Lady Silverwood, but Secretary Ravenswood and I have some personal matters to attend to today. We only had a short lunch break, and it was about to end. So, we'll need to take our leave."
"Oh, that's too bad. It was nice spending time together. We should do this more often," Ava remarked cheerfully.
While Ava expressed her desire for future meet-ups, the unspoken consensus among the others was quite the opposite. Everyone silently echoed the sentiment, 'Let's not repeat this experience.'
After successfully exiting, Vivienne and Milo let out a sigh of relief.
"It seems like we've been sighing quite frequently," Vivienne commented, recognizing the recurring relief they had been expressing.
Milo nodded in agreement, adding, "It's unfortunate to feel this way. We're only in our early twenties, after all."
"Sir Milo, you mentioned having something to do outside. Can I come along? I don't have anything else to do," Vivienne asked.
"I was planning to go to the bank. You're welcome to join me," Milo replied.
Vivienne's face lit up with excitement at the opportunity to accompany Milo on his errand. She was grateful to spend more time together outside of work. They set off toward the bank with newfound anticipation, ready for some adventure.
Upon reaching the bank, Milo disappeared into a separate room, leaving Vivienne to her own devices. Curiosity piqued, she decided to check the balance of her bank account. Vivienne's eyes widened in astonishment as she scanned the numbers on the paper.
"Wow, I have quite a substantial amount of money," she whispered to herself, a mix of surprise and delight coursing through her. Having dedicated herself to her role as a secretary for so long, she had momentarily forgotten about her financial standing. A surge of possibilities flooded her mind as she contemplated how to make use of her newfound wealth.
'Should I invest in property? Or perhaps indulge in some exquisite jewelry?' Vivienne pondered, although she couldn't help but remember that she already owned such items. A satisfied smile formed as she realized she had now faced the "problems" commonly associated with wealth.
'This feels good,' Vivienne happily concluded, taking a moment to appreciate the wealth she had accumulated, allowing herself to revel in the newfound joy of experiencing what she playfully dubbed a "rich people's problem."
As Milo reappeared, Vivienne's gaze shifted towards the large box he carried, a perplexed expression on her face.
"What's inside the box, Sir Milo?" Vivienne inquired, her curiosity piqued.
Milo's eyes gleamed with purpose as he explained, "There's money inside this box, and I plan to use it to acquire the necessary equipment for providing healthcare to underprivileged individuals. If there's any remaining, I intend to donate it as well. I firmly believe that a healthier society leads to increased productivity. While there are undoubtedly other significant issues to tackle, I believe starting with this is crucial."
Vivienne couldn't help but feel a pang of shame wash over her as she realized she had not been proactive in using her resources to make a difference.
"Please wait a moment," Vivienne interjected, a newfound determination in her voice. She swiftly withdrew some money from her account.
"I want to contribute too," Vivienne declared earnestly. "I may be new to this, but I am eager to learn how to utilize my resources to help others. Please guide me on the path of making a meaningful impact."
Milo's eyes softened with appreciation, and he nodded, impressed by Vivienne's willingness to join the cause. Together, they began discussing ways to channel their resources effectively, embarking on a journey to bring about positive change in the lives of those less fortunate.